4 Ways to Overcome Cold Allergy During Pregnancy
The pregnancy period can be the most beautiful and the heaviest for a future mother. Because you have to maintain the development of the fetus while protecting yourself from various health problems, including allergies that can occur due to bad weather and cold air. So that the time of pregnancy is not disturbed, there are a number of ways to treat cold allergies during pregnancy.
Cold allergy during pregnancy
Allergy is one of the many diseases that can occur during pregnancy. By quoting information on the page What is Expected, an average of 1 in 4 women usually has allergies during pregnancy. The risk of allergies can be even higher if you have a history of this disease in the family.
Before you start treating cold allergies, you must first recognize the symptoms. Signs of allergy during pregnancy generally resemble allergic rhinitis or hay fever, namely:
- stuffy or runny nose
- cough and sneeze
- strong breath
- headache
- skin rash
- itching ears and throat
- itchy and watery eyes
Sometimes a stuffy nose may simply be the effect of pregnancy and not a sign of an allergy. High levels of estrogen and progesterone during pregnancy will increase blood flow, especially to the nose. The mucous membrane of the area is then swollen, which blocks your nose.
This condition can get worse when you are exposed to triggers such as a cold. If your symptoms are not accompanied by sneezing or itching and eye discharge, you may only experience nasal congestion and not allergies.
How to deal with cold allergies during pregnancy
Although it does not hurt the mother or the uterus, cold allergies during pregnancy can affect concentration while monitoring the development of the fetus. Here are suggested tips for overcoming cold allergies.
1. Use a nasal spray
Nasal saline is a type of saline solution that can be used safely during pregnancy. To use it, spray the medication into each nostril 3-6 times. Let stand for 30 seconds, then exhale hard until the salt solution comes out.
2. Maintain the humidity of the air
One way to treat cold allergies during pregnancy is to keep the air moist in your home. Use a humidifier, if available, and set the humidity level in your home to less than 50%, as humidity above 60% is the ideal place for the development of dust mites and fungi. Both can make the symptoms of your allergies worse.
3. Take antihistamines
Antihistamines are a class of drugs widely used to treat allergies, including rhinitis. One of them is diphenhydramine, often recommended for pregnant women. Loratadine is another safe option, but you should still see your doctor, especially if you are in the first trimester.
4. Take decongestants
Decongestants are drugs used to relieve nasal congestion, due to the flu or allergies. Decongestant medications used to treat nasal congestion usually contain pseudoephedrine.
However, the use of this medication should be avoided during the first trimester. If this medication is often used, it can limit blood flow to the placenta. Be sure to consult a doctor before taking this medicine.
How to manage cold allergies naturally sometimes is not enough to relieve your symptoms. Always submit your complaint during pregnancy to the doctor to get the right treatment. If your allergies are severe, doctors may recommend other medical methods such as immune therapy.
